Eiiectkic fuse



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APPLICATION "LID "M1. 3h [9| 1- Patented Oct. 7, 1919.

LUIGI VEC CHIO, OF ALBANY, NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC FUSE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 7, 1919.

Application flied latch 31, 1917. Serial No. 158,858.

To all whom it may concern:-

Be it known that I, LUIGI Vnccuro, a subject of the King of Italy, residing at Albany, in the county of Albany and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improven'ients in Electric Fuses, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is an improved thermal cut out device for electric circuits.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a fuse of simple and inexpensive construction, in which the fuse strip may be readily and quickly replaced after being ruptured by the blowing of the fuse. A further object is to provide simple means for ethciently holding the fuse strip, and which may be safely manipulated by unskilled persons. A further object is to provide slmple means for retaining the fused terminals in position.

The invention will be hereinafter fully set forth and particularly pointed out in the claims. I

In the accompanying drawing Figure 1 is a perspective view of a thermal cut out device constructed in accordance with the invention. Figs. 2 and 3 are longitudinal sectional views taken at right angles to each other. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of one of the strip-engaging clips. Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the cas ng.

Referring to the drawing. 10 designates a casing preferably of cylindrical form, and

constructed of any desirable material. the same being provided with the metal end caps 11, secured in position in any suitable manner, preferably by means of screws 12. Suitable insulating washers are interposed between the end caps 11 and the ends of casing 10. Said casing is provided with a longitudinal opening 13, normally closed by a cover 14, hinged to the casing at 15, a spring 16 acting to force said cover to a normally open position. The free edge of the cover fits against a. shoulder 17, and said cover is held in closed position by means of a spring catch 18, which may be operated by means of a press pin 19.

The fuse terminals each comprise a strip of metal 20, out out near its inner end to form a reduced portion 21, and a transverse head, said reduced portion andhead being of approximate Tshape. The outer ends of the strips '20 extend through suitably shaped slots 22, formed in the end caps 11. Se-

cured in any suitable or desired manner, to the reduced portion'2l, is a transverse attaching strip 23, having angular ends 24, provided with threaded openings 2-5, to be engaged by suitable screws passing. through the wall of the casing 10, whereby the terminal strip is retained in position.

Attached to the other fare of the respective terminal strips 20, directly over the reduced portion 21, are hinged (lips 26, the jaws 27 of which are normally held in clamping engagement by means of springs 28. The fuse strip 29 is supported within the casing 10, by means of the clips 26, the ends of the strip 29 being removably engaged by the jaws 27. The movable jaw of the clip 26 is provided with acurved extension 30, which is engaged by a. push pin 31, extending through the wall of the casing 10.

In operation, the terminals 20 are engaged with the usual fuse contacts, in a manner well understood in the art. When it is desired to place a fuse strip in position,

either originally, orfor the purpose of repairing a fuse which has blown, the cover 14, is released from its catch 18, 'by pressing in the pin 19, the cover s ringing open just as soon as disengaged rom its catch. The push pins 31 are then pressed inwardly by the operator, rocking the movable jaws of the contiguous clips 26, it being understood however, that but one pin 3-1 is operated at a time. While the jaws of either clip are held separated by reason of pressure upon its pin 31, the operator may insert one end of the strip 29 between said jaws, whereupon the jaws will firmly grip the strip when pressure upon the pin 31 is released. In this manner the strip may be quickly placed in position by an unskilled person, and it will be firmly retained with a, perfect electrical contact. The cover 14 is then closed and the fuse is ready for use.

Having thus explained the nature of the invention, and described an operative manner of constructing and using the same, although without attempting to set forth all of the forms in which it may be made, or all of the forms of its use, the following is claimed 1. An improved electric fuse comprising a casing having closed ends, flat electric terminals projecting through the ends of the casing, transversely disposed attaching strips carried by the inner portions of said electric terminals and provided with angular portions, means engaging said angular portions to secure the terminals to the casing body, sprin clips attached to the res ectlve termina s contiguous to said attac ing strips, and a fusible strip removably held by said clips.

2. An improved electric fuse comprising a casing having closed ends, electric terminals projecting through the'ends of the casing, the inner portions of said terminals being rovided with transversely disposed attachmg strips, means engaging said attaching strips to retain said terminals in position, spring clips attached to the repective terminals contiguous to the inner ends thereof, a fusible wire strip removably held by said clips, and means carried by the casing for operating the clips.

3. An improved electric fuse comprising a casing provided with end terminals and a longitudinal opening, a cover hinged to said caslng and positioned to close said opening, a spring acting normally to move said cover to open position, a catch independent of the spring for locking said cover in closed position, means for operating said catch, and means within the casing for relnovably sup porting a fuse strip in contact with said end terminals.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LUIGI VECCHIO.

Witnesses:

C. RAYMOND BURTON, Josnrn A. PADULE. 

